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E-mail a friendYOUNG VOICES
One Family, Different Races
There's been so much written on this topic, and there are tons of articles out there that address the issue. Yet it's a question that's been raised off and on for a number of years now, and is coming around again.
Should individuals looking to adopt children outside of their race undergo additional training as part of the adoption process?
There are varying thoughts on an issue like this. Some see race as a factor that should be considered in an adoption process, while others see no reason to even bring it up.
Legislatively, measures have been enacted to try and reduce the barriers to adoption and the possibility of discrimination in adoption, but those legislative measures may have had unforeseen effects.
Potential parents may not be fully aware of the various cultural challenges and dispositions that a child from a different race may face when being adopted by parents of a different race. Thus, they may incur the difficulty of trying to navigate very deep and murky waters alone.
For those reasons, I don't agree with the Multiethnic Placement Act of 1996. Racial differences alone should never bar anyone from the opportunity to adopt. Understanding those challenges however should at least be considered and understood.
So, in my opinion, some type of formal guide should be in place to give parents the tools that may well help them in preparing to become the sole provider of that child.
I'm sure there are a number of opinions on this and would love to hear yours.